Steps to Starting an Etsy Shop
Whether you are a novice crafter or seasoned veteran to the handmade world, taking the leap to opening an online shop on Etsy can be daunting. With its growing community of over two million sellers, there are few secrets to success left when it comes to selling products on the popular e-commerce platform. To help you get started, below are the basic steps to setting up an Etsy shop, plus some tips on how to ensure your store is a hit when it launches.
Choose Your Shop Name
One of the most influential factors to your shop’s success will be your choice for shop name. According to Etsy, the ideal shop name should be:
• Easy to remember
• Unique
• Describes the type of products you offer
• Reflective of your personal brand and style
• Relevant to your target audience
Your shop name will be part of your shop’s URL and will also be imprinted on your products. When shoppers search for items, they will most likely look up the shop name as well, so make sure you have a good one.
Personalize Your Shop
Personalization is key when creating your Etsy store. Building a recognizable aesthetic that ties to the products you offer is important to help set your shop apart. You will want to create an identity that stands out, but also resonates with the style of your target shoppers.
Common items used to personalize your shop include:
• Shop banner
• Brand logo
• Photography and product images
• Color palette
• Stylized fonts
• Descriptive copy
• Interactive elements
A clean, consistent store design that follows through with each page and page element can make a big impact. If you are starting out and don’t have the funds to hire a professional e-commerce web designer, there are plenty of free tutorial resources offered online to help you customize your shop.
Writing User-Friendly Listings
Once your shop design is complete, you will want to create your product listings. As a new Etsy shop, your listings are where you will make your first impression to shoppers. Make sure you are taking the time to include quality photos and content that give shoppers a clear understanding of your items and the brand behind your products.
To write user-friendly product listings, do the following with each listing:
• Clearly explain what the item is and how it is used.
• Show multiple photos in varying angles of the item for detail and assessment
• Give accurate measurements and sizes
• Use descriptive words to explain features not visible in the photos
• Be mindful of spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Offer helpful customer service information, such as details on the return policy
• Upsell customers by suggesting add-ons, i.e., similar items, complimentary products, etc.
• Give recommendations for care of the product
• Be as detailed as possible
Setting Prices
Creating the right prices for your products is key to keeping your shop a business. It is important to research the cost of similar products offered in the market. Analyze what the fair market value is for your products and include the cost of materials, shipping, and labor in your pricing calculations.
Most shoppers look for price ranges around $10-30. If you need to offer lower prices or don’t want to set too high of a price level, consider offering additional services that may be outside of the scope of your product.
For example, you could offer:
• Customized items for an extra cost
• Quicker turnaround times for an additional fee
• A set of additional product variations for a different cost
• Bulk orders at a discounted rate
These accessories can help to raise the value of your products while still allowing a reasonable price point.
Marketing Your Shop
Opening a shop doesn’t guarantee sales. Selling on Etsy is a full-time job and requires that sellers implement a sound marketing strategy to promote their business. As a new shop, your main focus should be on building brand recognition and gaining customer loyalty. Here are a few strategies for marketing your shop:
• Establish a presence on social media and share regular posts about your brand, shop updates, recent products, and customer promotions.
• Join online crafting or maker’s forums and participate in conversations where you can gain shoppers.
• Reach out to Etsy’s support team to learn more about their various promotional options, such as sponsored ads.
• Ask your friends and family to spread the word about your shop by sharing posts on their social media accounts.
• Join the Etsy community by joining local marketplaces and craft shows.
• Enhance customers’ shopping experiences with packaging, coupons, and extra surprise items.
The ability to reach millions of shoppers gives motivated entrepreneurs a chance to not just make their mark, but also create a profitable income. Starting an Etsy shop requires thoughtful planning and research if you want to succeed. From setting up a shop to creating engaging product listings and building a strong customer base, there is a lot to keep in mind when launching an online store on Etsy.
